§ Earl Russellasked Her Majesty's Government:
In the light of their answer of 20th March 1995 (WA 59) what costs they expect to fall (a) to the budget of the Department of Social Security and (b) to public funds as a result of the introduction of the habitual residence test, including the costs of ill health of unsuccessful claimants and the costs of taking their children into care.
§ The Minister of State, Department of Social Security (Lord Mackay of Ardbrecknish)It was estimated in November 1994 that, following the introduction of the habitual residence test, the costs to the budget of the Department of Social Security for 1994–95 would be £2.4 million. Given the current much higher than expected level of claims processed, the eventual costs for 1994–95 are likely to be substantially higher than that amount. Estimates of costs to other public funds are not available.